The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-09-25
CHAPTER VII.

to her parents love of position, and had
married one man while loving another. Be
ing unusually plain III person, the passion of
her life was her love for her beautiful
child And she, like the rest of the world,
had done all that admiration could do to
spoil her. People called her spoiled and
vain. But she was so lovely that | set that
down to envy. She interested me. She
had lustrous dark eyes, full of charming
lights, magnificent dark brown hair, and
perfectly bewitching, siren-llke face. Her
skin was soft, slightly rose-t tinted olive. l
do not remember how it began, but we soon
came to be friends. And after while they
spoke our names together. Someb ody told
me at last-it was lady, and one who could
not err in such matters-that l had been
paying Miss Meredith too much attention
unless | meant to propose for her hand |
was altogether shocked. | certainly had
not thought of that. had often said that
Miss Meredith was most companionable
young girl She was not Il thought mere
society queen. She had decided literary
tastes and a poetic nature. There was
poetry in the upward glance of her soulful
eyes, in the dreamy tones of her musical
voice, in the graceful sweep of the rich
dresses she wore She had dabbled in art
also. In two senses, though / did not know
it then.
You are the strangest man in the world, y
she said to Inc in her languid tones. You
are DOWNRIGHT stupid sometimes. You
never pay me compliments like all the rest
and vet fancy you like me. Is it not so!n
The glance of her dark eyes emphasized
the words and made them seem wonderfully
childish and Innocent
| answered quite seriously:
Eyes, l do like you
How delightfully."- earnest you are"
clapping her hands and Frightening very
much. -''Your eyes tell one so much. Oh,
how should have gotten through this sea-
son but for your
| laughed.
ITO have helped SO fair creature
through the horrors of season. What a
destiny! Then have not lived in vain"
Now you are laughing at me, and | am
very serious Eight.
She was languid again, and so beautiful
No true artists eyes could look at her I'M
moved.
The crimson velvet lining of the chair on
which she sat formed rich background for
the finely-molded figure in its cIose-fitting
dress of black velvet. Soft, creamy lace at
her throat, fastened by a cluster of cleaning
displayed by the half-open sleeve that fell
back from the wrist, rested on the arm of
the chair. The soft eyes, the rich dark hair,
the full red lips, what picture she made in
the warm glow of the freight! The ele-
gantly appointed room, with its silken-
draped windows, its costly flowers, the
graceful, half-reclining girl with her beauti-
full, soft-hued face; in every detail of the
surroundings a delicious righteousness was
b,,oa 9Th nd Ii Ia tha ,0ff
flowers, crept into the senses with a subtle
enchantment.
One might almost close his eyes and fancy
himself floating down some flower-bordered
stream in the drowsy cline of the lotus
eaters, his faculties stepped in lazy enjoy
ment.
half-started from my fitting dream as
another picture rose before me- The pic
ture of barren room, and the strong,
pure face of a girl in whose eyes a lofty
purpose shone Why could | not forget that
face! Why did it always come back to me,
when | had been with Clara Meredith, like
a breath of sweet fresh air, and the smell of
wild flowers after the oppressive sweetness
of exotics!
VI wish you would talk to mel" The soft,
delicious voice again. You have never
told me of your Italian mother. Was she
not beautiful! l know you have her eyes
and her smile. Tell me of your home be-
fore you came to your cousins. 1t must
have been enchanting"
Il do not love TO speak of it. L have
never talked of my home and my mother to
any one, except to dear cousin whom l
used to love very much"
How strange you are! But you will tell
mer'
81 think not. At least not now"
You will not trust me that muchg"
"You do not understand 1t is hardly my
own confidence Others are concerned
whom have no right to mention. This
much can tell you. Twas not very happy
child
But you said you had talked of it to
one person."
THAT was my cousin. And something of
what told her she knew already"
30, pray forgive mel did not think of
what | was asking you. do understand
Only if it is a sad story, should be so glad
to let you know Of my interest and my
sympathy
Thank you very much"
"And your COUSIN. Was it Bessie Har-
woods Mamma knew her mother well, and
she had the little girls visit us once after
their mother died. / anu younger than
either OF them, but remember how afraid
! was of their black dresses. Poor little
things! That is all remember about them,
but | have heard what fine girls they grew
up. Was il shem
Yes"
A sudden thought seemed to come to her.
Was 1t of her that the young man spoke
when you were so furiously angry that
night"
1.-THE same Shall tell you Of her"
mo, thank youl l do not fancy that
style of young lady"
You certainly do not attach any I'M
portance TO such remarks as his, and from
such n scurceP
20, no! Still gathered enough TO feel
sure that she Is one of those interesting
young persons whose very existenceis meant
20 be "A reproach Is such AS l. Pray don't
talk Of her II tires me 10 think OF all the
heroic things she must have done 10 have
gained her reputation"
You have changed your mind very
suddenly. You have often told me how
much you wanted 10 be Of some use m the
world, Only a few days ago you told mo
how tired yOi we're Of your life of perpetual
idlenoss and eelf-indulgenee, aud how you
had been tempted 10 break away from ~
and 30 10 Rome and work like a true ART
isi.
ibid say that 10 youi And you renlem-
hered itf' with quick bright blush, ''fben
] meapt ~ ] believe am crues tonight
hut you always haxa your way, Pray teii
iif lIfaIIIi fllF IEEIrf4FaifrFI